Wolf eels are actually fish and can be found just about anywhere along coastal British Columbia. From newborn to adulthood, the wolf eel will change in size and appearance, growing to a length of 2.4 meters long (8 ft)! Wolf eels are usually shy and docile, but seem to display curiosity of divers with frequent exposure to them. These uniquely Muppet-like creatures have been spotted at all the popular DIABC mentioned coastal areas.

The giant Pacific Octopus (GPO) is another of British Columbia’s underwater residents that can be found in all of the DIABC mentioned coastal dive locations. The GPO is one of several octopus found in our emerald paradise and will grow to be an impressive 72.7 kg (160 pounds) in weight, with an arm span of 7.3 meters (24 ft)! This fast-growing resident blends in well with its surroundings and can be hard for the untrained eye to spot. Females live 3 to 4 years, then nurse a cluster of thousands of tiny eggs, hung on thin strands from her den ceiling. The GPO is extremely intelligent and will often watch divers while in disguise. When confronted by divers however they may become afraid and flash colours or make their skin textured. If the turn red, its time to leave them in peace.

Six Gill Sharks - Little is known about six gill sharks except that they traverse the deep water routes around Vancouver Island, coming up to shallower water in certain areas from about July through August. Although there are many sightings of these docile, slow swimming giants, they are usually seen at Flora Islet off Hornby Island, in Barkley Sound and at Tahsis, in Nootka Sound. Puget Sound in Washington State in another area for recent sightings of six gill sharks. Six gills are most recognizable in appearance because of their size and the lack of a prominent dorsal fin on their back. Six gills are attracted to sound (divers hitting two rocks together) and can often be found near an anchor chain banging against a slate rock or hard bottom. Remember to never touch these mighty fish because they can bite if provoked!

Harbour Seals and Sea Lions can be found all over coastal British Columbia, but tend to gather in some areas on a seasonal basis. From October through May huge Steller’s (aka Northern sea lion) and California sea lions can be found gathering on rocky outcroppings and islands throughout the northern and southern Gulf Islands. Some of the most common locations include Pam Rocks in Howe Sound, Repulse Rock in Saanich Inlet, Hornby Island (eastern side of Vancouver Island), Mitlenatch Island (south of Campbell River) and numerous other sites. Harbour seals (pinnipeds) are smaller in size but tend to be equally as curious of divers, They are commonly sighted throughout the year at sites like Race Rocks near Victoria, Snake Island near Nanaimo, in Barkley Sound, Nootka Sound, Port Hardy, Sechelt Inlet and Hoe Sound. Northern elephant seals and the Northern fur seal are two other seals a diver might see along the western side of Vancouver Island

Many divers, instructors and charter operators use the various artificial reefs around coastal British Columbia as training grounds for dive instruction or the more advanced: technical diving training. Artificial reef vary in size and type. A local organization called the Artificial Reef Association of British Columbia (ARSBC) has been successful in creating numerous reefs over the past 15 years, including several retired military ships from the Canadian Navy. The HMCS (Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship) Chaudiere is located in the Sechelt Inlet and the HMCS Columbia can be found in Campbell River, on Vancouver Island. Nanaimo has the HMCS Saskatchewan and the HMCS Cape Breton, along with a smaller tugboat, the Rivtow Lion. A newest artificial reef for the ARSBC is a Boeing 737 plane in the Chemainus area. The HMCS Mackenzie and the GB Church are two more artificial reefs near Sidney. Barkley Sound also has two ships scuttled as artificial reefs, now full of marine life. In Porteau Cove, on the mainland, you can find several boats and miscellaneous objects put down to enhance the underwater park. Studies over the years have proven that artificial reefs not only provide new habitat for the marine life, they also boost the local tourism economy.

Natural shipwrecks (not purposely put underwater) can be found all along coastal British Columbia. There are a few however, divers can access through charter operators at several popular dive destinations. Starting at the northern section of coastal BC, accessed only by live-a-board dive charter vessels, is the 175-foot wreck of the Transpac, sinking in 1986. This unusual fishing-trawler wreck is leaning bow up on a ledge in 90-285 feet of water, on the eastern side of Princess Royal Island. Continuing south, the jagged weathered remains of the Ohio’s broken bow is clearly visible upon entering Carter Bay. Running aground and sinking in 1909, most of the Ohio’s 330-foot hull is underwater, to a maximum of 75 feet. The270-foot long SS Themis can be found on the southeast side of Crocker Rock, on the eastern side of Nigei Island, north of Port Hardy in Queen Charlotte Sound. Within a forest of kelp, the crumpled remaining wreckage stretches from 34 feet (at reef base) to 80 feet of depth. Within Discovery Passage, across from Campbell River, is a shallow (35-50 feet) ferryboat wreck at May Island. Both props are still attached and the marine life colours are brilliant in the sunlight. Another awesome wreck can be found south of Campbell River, on the south side of Grant Reef, between Savary and Harwood islands, rests the 120-foot Capilano. The Capilano sank in 1915 and currently sits upright in 100-145 feet of water, covered in white plumose anemones, giving it a ghostly appearance. The passenger ship MV Gulf Stream struck the east side of Dinner Rock, near Powell River in 1947. The wreck can be found on the southwest side of Dinner Rock with the hull laying diagonally across the slope at a depth of 125-175 feet. Within Barkley Sound on the West coast of Vancouver Island is the wreck of the 473-foot freighter Vanlene . Sinking in 1992 near Austin Island, the Vanlene wreckage trails from 35 feet down to 140 feet on a sandy bottom. In 1949 the 105-foot tugboat Point Grey struck Virago Rock in Porlier Pass between Galiano and Valdes Islands, and sayed there stuck for several years. In 1963 a nasty storm knocked it off. Currently the Point Grey rests upside down, with prop still attached, in 40 feet of water. These are just a few of the many natural shipwrecks found in our emerald paradise. For more detailed information, reference any of the following books:

• 151 Dives by: Betty Pratt-Johnson – Diving guide book for British Columbia and Washington State, www.bettypratt-johnson.com
• Any of the books put out by the Underwater Archeological Society of British Columbia – Historical books on various shipwrecks around BC, www.uasbc.com

xcellent shore diving can be found throughout British Columbia. A few of the most popular sites include Porteau Cove and Whytecliff Park in Howe Sound, Indian Arm (mainland Vancouver), Mermaid Cove and Octopus City in Powell River. On Vancouver Island some of the popular shore sites are; Ogden Point Breakwater in Victoria, Saxe Point Park near Esquimalt, Henderson Point in Saanich Inlet, Maple Bay Reef near Duncan, Orlebar Point on Gabriola Island, Sunrise Beach north of Nanaimo, and right in front of the Union Bay Dive Shop on the old Island Highway. Near Courtenay is King Koho. On the western side of Vancouver Island there are several good shore dives in Tahsis in Nootka Sound and near Port Alberni in Barkley Sound.

As with shore diving, boat diving can be done and is offered throughout coastal British Columbia. Boat diving allows a diver to explore locations sometimes rarely visited. Some of the common places on Vancouver Island to find dive charter operators are; Victoria, Sidney, Saanich Inlet, Chemainus, Nanaimo, Parksville, Union Bay, Comox/Courtenay, Campbell River, Port Hardy, Tahsis, Port Alberni, and Sooke. For sites in Howe Sound, charter operators usually depart from Horseshoe Bay. Richmond is the departure location for the Nautilus Explorer, a luxury live-a-board vessel. Charter operators servicing Sechelt Inlet and the lower Sunshine Coast usually depart from the town of Sechelt or from the Egmont area. Powell River is the departure location for dive charters servicing the upper Sunshine Coast, Texada Island and other select close sites. Several dive charter operators offer customized trip, creating an itinerary to suit your needs or for a large group. Please don’t hesitate to contact any of our members to inquire about your next trip to British Columbia.

Technical diving has grown very popular in all parts of coastal British Columbia. Dive stores throughout the Province are offering courses in extended range diving as well as providing quality technical dive gear for sale and special blends of gas for deep diving. Rebreather diving is equally as popular, with many dive stores, clubs and/or charter operators offering special charters to accommodate divers with double tanks and rebreathers. The artificial reefs, 366-foot retired Canadian Navy vessels, seem to be used repeatedly for technical dive training platforms, using the huge ships to practice their skills, before heading onto deeper natural shipwrecks. Both deep walls and shipwrecks are available for technical dive exploration throughout coastal British Columbia. Some of the more popular shipwrecks include; the Transpac (off Princess Royal Island), the Capilano (Mitlenatch Island, ), the Gulf Stream (Dinner Rock, Powell River), and the Vanlene (Barkley Sound). Preferred Wall diving sites include: several in Saanich Inlet, Snake Island Wall near Nanaimo, Olrebar Wall on Gabriola Island, several in Barkley Sound, Mozino Point Wall near Tahsis, Browning Wall near Port Hardy, Agamemnon Wall near Egmont and Whytecliff Park near Horseshoe Bay.